Kate Belgrave | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/profile/kate-belgrave
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Closing the Independent Living Fund shows how low the government will go | Kate Belgravehttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/feb/27/closing-independent-living-fund-disabled-care
Funding for disability care is being devolved to local councils. My video interviews show disabled recipients fighting for their future<p>High on the list of this government's god-awful initiatives is a vile recent decision to <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/feb/26/independent-living-fund-cuts-disabilities" title="">close the Independent Living Fund</a> and devolve it to councils. You may have been wondering how low things would go with this government. This story should give you some indication.</p><p>The ILF was set up in 1988 as a stand-alone fund to which people with severe disabilities <a href="http://www.dwp.gov.uk/ilf/about-ilf/" title="">could apply for money</a> for added carer hours. That extra money meant that people could afford to pay carers for the help that they needed – round-the-clock, in some cases – to live independent lives. It meant, in other words, that people with severe impairments could look forward to more than a life spent staring at walls in under-resourced care homes. Which is as you'd hope. Anyone who is even vaguely human wants to know that certain support systems are in place. Suffering a serious injury and/or disability, which let's not forget, any of us might, is surely challenging enough without also finding that your human right to independence is in society's ever-burgeoning &quot;can't afford it&quot; category.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/feb/27/closing-independent-living-fund-disabled-care">Continue reading...</a>DisabilityLong-term careSocial careSocietyHealthPublic sector cutsPublic services policyPublic financeWed, 27 Feb 2013 13:27:36 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/feb/27/closing-independent-living-fund-disabled-careCharles Shearer/SnapsthoughtsSophie Partridge: 'People in residential care - they're sitting around all day, waiting to go to the loo. We can't go back 30-odd years.' Photograph: Charles Shearer/SnapsthoughtsCharles Shearer/SnapsthoughtsSophie Patridge Photograph: Charles Shearer/SnapsthoughtsKate Belgrave2013-02-27T13:27:36Z'If the council tries to put me into a care home, I will take it to court'http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/feb/26/independent-living-fund-cuts-disabilities
Two people with severe disabilities talk about how potential cuts to the independent living fund will affect them<p><a href="http://www.pennypepper.co.uk/" title=""><strong>Penny Pepper</strong></a><strong>, writer and journalist</strong> &quot;The reason I get the independent living fund (ILF) is that I'm judged to have a severe disability with severe levels of mobility impairment. I'm assessed as needing 24/7 care. The ILF pays for just under half of my care costs (and Islington council [in north London] pays the rest). I need support to do most things of a physical and practical nature – from getting out of bed, using the bathroom, getting dressed and food preparation to moving from A to B, getting into my wheelchair and getting out of my wheelchair. I would not be able to work without that funding. This is what is terrifying to me. Council funding alone, for carers, would not be enough to retain my personal assistants. I employ four people on a rota at different times. Most people I know who receive the ILF employ from two to four people as carers. That's a lot of people who are going to lose their jobs if the ILF closes. [The government <a href="http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2012/dec-2012/dwp136-12.shtml" title="">plans</a> to close the ILF and devolve it to aleady cash-strapped councils by 2015.]</p><p>There is this bizarre idea coming our way that you can eat sandwiches, lie in bed and use incontinence pads. If that happens, then that is, in effect, the end of my career. The basic idea of having a separate pot of money like the ILF did give you choice and control. Now, we're being forced backwards into having to go on about how pathetic we are as individuals – you know, with your poor legs and your this and your that. The idea of choice is being narrowed and narrowed and narrowed. If the council ever tries to put me in a care home [because it cannot afford to fund independent living costs ] I will take it to court.&quot;</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/feb/26/independent-living-fund-cuts-disabilities">Continue reading...</a>Social carePublic sector cutsPublic services policyPublic financeSocietyRecessionTue, 26 Feb 2013 12:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/feb/26/independent-living-fund-cuts-disabilitiesF Sierakowski /Rex Features‘It’s not my impairment which makes me vulnerable. It is your cuts … your policies. Give us decent resources and we will add to your economy' - Sophie Partridge in a letter to David Cameron Photograph: F Sierakowski /Rex FeaturesF Sierakowski /Rex Features‘It’s not my impairment which makes me vulnerable. It is your cuts … your policies. Give us decent resources and we will add to your economy' - Sophie Partridge in a letter to David Cameron Photograph: F Sierakowski /Rex FeaturesKate Belgrave2013-02-26T12:00:00ZThe people affected by cuts to frontline services in north-east England | Kate Belgravehttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jan/08/people-affected-cuts-services-northeast-england
Kate Belgrave visits people in north-east England whose lives are affected by the cuts in public services<p>I attend, as a friend, an Atos work capability assessment (WCA) with Steve, 54, a man I have been in touch with for about a year. Steve was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was 18.</p><p>We meet for Steve's WCA at the sprawling business park where his local Atos assessment centre is based. The building isn't as tawdry and hard to access as some I've seen, but the message is pretty clear the minute you enter. You may have MS, or arthritis, or schizophrenia, or depression, but the government is not inclined to stand on ceremony for you.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jan/08/people-affected-cuts-services-northeast-england">Continue reading...</a>Public sector cutsPublic services policyPublic financeBenefitsSocietyWelfarePoliticsRecessionEconomicsBusinessTue, 08 Jan 2013 14:29:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jan/08/people-affected-cuts-services-northeast-englandMartin Argles/GuardianDisabled people protest against cuts in their benefits at the Hardest Hit march. Photograph: Martin Argles for the GuardianMartin Argles/GuardianDisabled people protest against cuts in their benefits at the Hardest Hit march. Photograph: Martin Argles for the GuardianKate Belgrave2013-01-08T14:29:01ZAusterity Britain: the people affected by cuts to frontline serviceshttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/jul/17/austerity-britain-effects-cuts-frontline-services
Providers of frontline services in the south-west describe the effect public sector cuts are having on their users<p>&quot;Before, the primary reason [for needing food parcels] was benefit cuts, or delays, but now that's been overtaken by people on low incomes. We used to get very few low-income people.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/jul/17/austerity-britain-effects-cuts-frontline-services">Continue reading...</a>Public sector cutsPublic services policyPublic financeBenefitsSocietyWelfarePoliticsRecessionTue, 17 Jul 2012 13:06:42 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/jul/17/austerity-britain-effects-cuts-frontline-servicesChristopher Thomond/GuardianA manager of a foodbank in Poole says they are seeing more people on low incomes, rather than mainly people whose benefit had been cut or delayed. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianChristopher Thomond/GuardianA manager of a foodbank in Poole says they are seeing more people on low incomes, rather than mainly people whose benefit had been cut or delayed. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianKate Belgrave2012-07-17T13:06:42ZFacing the reality of cuts in austerity Britainhttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/jun/05/public-sector-cuts-north-west
Kate Belgrave visits people in north-west England who are having to cope with the cuts in public services<p>Richard Atkinson has multiple sclerosis. He was diagnosed seven years ago when he was in his late 40s. He walks with an aid. When he went into hospital for a hernia operation, his wife Frances suspected he wouldn't respond well to the surgery, so she tried to access an occupational therapy (OT) assessment to get stair rails. They did an assessment over the telephone, but then said it would be three weeks before someone could come round.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/jun/05/public-sector-cuts-north-west">Continue reading...</a>Public sector cutsSocial careDisabilityLearning disabilitySocietyTue, 05 Jun 2012 13:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/jun/05/public-sector-cuts-north-westCharles ShearerThe Dalleys are now facing an annual bill of £1,200 from the council for school transport for their three daughters who have learning disabilities. Photograph: Charles ShearerCharles ShearerThe Dalleys are now facing an annual bill of £1,200 from the council for school transport for their three daughters who have learning disabilities. Photograph: Charles ShearerKate Belgrave2012-06-05T13:30:00ZSally Bercow, the closing day centre and the poverty of soundbite culture | Kate Belgravehttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/06/day-centre-sally-bercow
The blocking of a visit to a day centre is the latest in a long line of council attempts to throttle cuts coverage<p>The Grange is a day centre for people with physical disabilities – they have conditions such as multiple sclerosis, severe epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Many have had debilitating strokes. The centre runs community projects people can take part in, holds a lot of social events, has facilities such as computers and has experienced staff on hand.</p><p>In December, <a href="http://www.hangbitching.com/2010/12/disabling-users/" title="">Shropshire council announced that it planned to close the centre</a> as part of its austerity measures – an early decision which shocked service users, who thought that they were in the middle of consultation about the centre, rather than at the end of it. They had been told a decision about the centre's future wouldn't be made until January. Local campaigners have spent the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jan/24/day-centres-disabled-carers" title="">six months since then trying to beat the council back</a>, but the council still plans to shut the Grange at the end of July.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/06/day-centre-sally-bercow">Continue reading...</a>DisabilityPublic services policyPoliticsSocietyLocal governmentHealth policyHealthPublic sector cutsUK newsSally BercowWed, 06 Jul 2011 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/06/day-centre-sally-bercowphotographer Charles Shearer / deptfordvisions.com/www.deptfordvisions.comLong-time Grange attendee Eddie Davies said that Sally Bercow's recent visit was the last roll of the dice for saving the day centre. Photograph: Charles Shearer / deptfordvisions.comKate Belgrave2011-07-06T08:00:00ZCarers of children with disabilities need respite | Kate Belgravehttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jun/06/short-breaks-units-disabled-children
Closing short breaks units will pile even more pressure on the already stressed parents of disabled children<p>This month, Lancashire county council will start to consult parents of children with disabilities about plans to close some of the county's short breaks units (once called respite). The units give parents much-needed breaks from caring, and children a chance to socialise.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jun/06/short-breaks-units-disabled-children">Continue reading...</a>CarersDisabilitySocial careSocietyUK newsPublic sector cutsPublic financePublic services policyPoliticsLocal governmentMon, 06 Jun 2011 14:34:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jun/06/short-breaks-units-disabled-childrenKate Belgrave2011-06-06T14:34:00ZThe future of mental health care in austerity Britain | Kate Belgravehttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/apr/26/mental-health-care-supported-living-housing
High-level supported-living housing is under threat as one London council calls a hostel 'surplus to requirements'<p>The soon-be-closed <a href="http://www.lbhf.gov.uk//Directory/Council_and_Democracy/Committee_reports_minutes_and_agendas/Committee_and_Cabinet_member_decisions/homepage.asp?mgpage=ieDecisionDetails.aspx%26amp%3BID%3D1028" title="Hammersmith and Fulham council: Proposed closure of Tamworth supported hostel">Tamworth high-level support hostel</a> for people with mental health illnesses sits on the quiet Farm Lane in expensive central Fulham. &quot;Location&quot; is the word that leaps to mind here. Fulham Broadway station is just five minutes' walk from Tamworth hostel's front door and bustling Fulham Broadway is even nearer. Farm Lane itself is tranquil, though – it's tucked just far enough round the corner for refuge from the Broadway's crowds and noise. It's perfect.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/apr/26/mental-health-care-supported-living-housing">Continue reading...</a>Mental healthHealthSocietyHealth policyPublic services policyPoliticsLocal governmentSchizophreniaLondonUK newsTue, 26 Apr 2011 11:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/apr/26/mental-health-care-supported-living-housingDavid Jones/PAThe justice minister, Kenneth Clarke. Photograph: David Jones/PAKate Belgrave2011-04-26T11:00:00ZWhen does the real debate about public services start? | Lisa Ansell and Kate Belgravehttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/apr/15/public-services-cuts-debate
The media scream about party politics and the deserving or undeserving poor – those at the sharp end of cuts get sidelined<p>By 2009, public sector workers, trade union activists and people using public services were already discussing the cuts they expected to services provided by local authorities. Cuts were inevitable, and in many cases already happening. Local authorities took massive hits from <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/oct/10/localgovernment-iceland" title="Guardian:Iceland bank failure: which councils are affected?">the Icelandic crash</a>. The escalating cost of the bank bailout scheme, alongside year-on-year recruitment freezes, lack of ministerial support, and staff cuts – the writing on the wall had been clear for a while. Cuts to services for vulnerable groups were the subject of protests <a href="http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/05/31/the-other-kind-of-tory-housing/" title="Liberal Conspiracy: The other kind of Tory housing">long before political parties were preparing for the election</a>.</p><p>Social care is a part of our public sector best described as a &quot;cinderella&quot; service. Tucked away in your local authority, competing with art projects, street lighting and rubbish removal for funds, social work and care departments exist because of the consequences of illness, disability and inequality that we rarely acknowledge. Cinderella services barely merit discussion. And only that discussion might make us think about why those services are so necessary.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/apr/15/public-services-cuts-debate">Continue reading...</a>Public services policySocietyPoliticsTrade unionsEqualityPovertyPublic sector cutsProtestUK newsFri, 15 Apr 2011 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/apr/15/public-services-cuts-debateAkira Suemori/APDemonstrators against the government's spending cuts in London on 26 March. Photograph: Akira Suemori/APAkira Suemori/APDemonstrators against the government's spending cuts in London on 26 March. Photograph: Akira Suemori/APLisa Ansell and Kate Belgrave2011-04-15T08:00:00Z